VERSUS

Henry Fairs (org), Garnier organ, Elgar Concert
Hall, Birmingham

Regent REGCD 516

[74:35]

Installed in Birmingham University’s Elgar
Concert Hall in 2014, French builder Marc
Garnier’s first British-based organ makes its
debut on disc with a satisfyingly broad
programme designed to show offits polyglottal
abilities. The C major richness of Bach’s
Toccata, Adagio & Fugue
(BWV 564) and the Praeludium BWV 566a, with its
flamboyant
stylus phantasticus framing two
fugues, deftly demonstrate its core
chorus with nimble dexterity. Franz
Danksagmüller’s Versus makes
much of congealing note clusters that shake the
bellows to deliver a
stuttering wind supply for the solo line.
Schumann’s Four Sketches for Pedal Piano extol the vital diversity
of the organ’s Schwellwerk
division, and Jon Laukvik’s Via Crucis
reveals a voice of
kaleidoscopic colours. Henry Fairs delivers all
with requisite
intimacy and flair.